Welcome to the ValenDiner {Our Valentine's Day Theme Party}

February 23, 2011 By 6 Comments






For this past St. Valentine’s Day, I had the urge to throw a fun little party for our kids.  The more I got thinking about the little details, (which I love to do), a theme sort of started snowballing in my head (which is often the case, when I think), and I got beside myself with excitement (which happens quite easily with me.)

My idea, was simply, a St. Valentine’s party, with an old diner theme.

We invited a family we are really good friends with, who have just as many kids as we do!  That was enough for me, because frankly….I had never (evah!) waitressed before.  But I was about to!… Read More

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Well, Here's the Thing….

January 1, 2011 By 2 Comments

…. I just need to shut the hell up.

Listening more to Him, talking a whole lot less, and letting Him handle the details.
That’s one of my new plans for 2011 prayer.







Wish me luck. I tend to suck at this.… Read More

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{A} Goes to Witness 2 Hope

August 23, 2010 By 4 Comments






At last, I have gotten it all together enough, to share with you all a little bit about the purpose behind our prayer request for {A} a couple of weeks ago. We understand that some of you may not view it as that big of a deal, but for us, it was big.  So we are thankful for your prayers if you prayed. They went a long way for us!

So here’s the whole scoop, for those who have been waiting:

In early July, when we were on the show This Is The day, there was a young man and woman there also as show guests, named Steven Colella and Danielle Olsen, from The New Evangilization of the Archdiocese of Boston, to promote a new program for middle schoolers, called  Witness 2 Hope.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Life In General, Prayers Request, The Big Picture

{A}'s 13th Birthday / 4th of July Weekend / Final Part at CatholicTV

August 1, 2010 By 4 Comments






Let me start with this *disclaimer:   *The camera {A} got for her birthday turns out to be the amazing little point and shoot I expected it to be.  However, this post contains photos from the very first day we used it > without having any real chance to get to know the little machine, or read the directions of the wide range of operational options.   Therefore, some of these photos are not in the least, technically sound enough for me by a far cry.  But I lay my pride down (it’s really getting easier as I move up in age, here!…), and use these photos in this post anyway, for the sake of sharing with you this memorable and special day for {A}.… Read More

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Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad…

May 15, 2010 By 3 Comments






{JM, O & S} sure are!  This day, that they have waited for for so long, finally arrived! I promise, this is the last of the First Holy Communion posts – along with the Vittles post up right now.  We’re hoping someone, somewhere, is still interested, while we indulge in posting about this happy occasion one more time.  Anyway, I wasn’t going to take photos of them actually receiving for the first time, because it just didn’t seem right.  But….the other parents were told it was alright, as long as the photos were taken from their seats. So, I decided to do so too, not wanting to regret passing up the opportunity!  Even though my angle was awful!… Read More

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Big Picture: Easter Photo Series

April 6, 2010 By 6 Comments

Please visit Home page once, prior to sections of blogs, for message. : )

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…a Special Easter Message for you….

April 3, 2010 By 3 Comments

…..please click through to the blog…..

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Thoughts on LIFE.

January 26, 2010 By 9 Comments






 

We’ve got a pretty great pastor at our parish.  He has lots of admirable qualities as a person, and a pastor of our parish. But if there is one thing that really hits me about this man, time and time again, it’s his gift in giving great homilies.   Every homily I have ever heard him give, has been beyond impressive to me.   For every time that I have ‘come to’, sitting their in our usual church pew, from the place that I had been while listening to his homily, I find myself wishing that I could have recorded that for our blog.  His homilies paint vivid pictures.… Read More

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Update on B.I.L., Kenny! : )

December 23, 2009 By 3 Comments






I have been working on & planning new posts for every section of this blog today, but I really couldn’t get this update up fast enough!

My sister called today as had been expecting, with the results of all of the tests my brother-in-law has been having, to determine how advanced his cancer is.  We are SO HAPPY to report that we got the best possible news we were all praying for at this point!!!:  His cancer has NOT spread to other areas or organs of his body/matasticized.  They determined it was caught early enough and is still localized.  Therefore, after Christmas at some point, he will begin treatment of radiation only.… Read More

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Hallowtide: Part II – All Saint's Day & All Soul's Day

November 22, 2009 By 4 Comments

OK, Thanksgiving Day is less than a week away, so I guess we better wrap up our Hallowtide posts here, huh?  Goodness…I think I am having deja-vous!  But we did want to at least share with you a little bit about our All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day, which we always try to acknowledge in some way in keeping with our Catholic faith.

We really kept it simple this year.  But sometimes, for us, simple is the most enjoyable kind.

We took a drive one of the late afternoons, to a large cemetery in town.  During the drive on the way there, we reviewed again the history of these days, and what we are to reflect on during them.  When we got there, we filed out of the van to venture around for awhile.… Read More

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Hallowtide: Part 1 – Halloween

November 14, 2009 By 7 Comments

This is the beginning of our belated posts on Hallowtide: 1)  Halloween  (All Hallow’s Eve), 2) All Saint’s Day and 3) All Soul’s Day.

Hallowtide is always a festive event in our family.  We love this time of year, and very much enjoy our traditions, which I suppose differs a little bit from the vast majority.  I think we have a nice balance though.   We have fun with ‘Halloween’ and the silliness/just for fun that comes with that, and also giving attention to the Catholic roots of ‘Halloween’, and how it all began. Thus, our more extended focus on the 3 days of Hallowtide.… Read More

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Un-Expectations

August 19, 2009 By 7 Comments


B


I’ve said it a zillion times before, and at least 1/2 zillion on this blog:  I believe, without question, that God gives every one of us gifts.  And I believe, without question, that in discovering those gifts, one is receiving a direct message from God > ‘Use them in my Name. Use them, to serve Me, by serving my children.’

I think we all know, or most of us anyway, when God is calling us to serve Him, by serving others.  It’s a feeling inside. For me, it’s not something I ponder, or decide, if it is indeed a situation I am called to serve.  I just know, it is.  Like a whisper of the heart, that is God’s unspoken words.  There is sometimes  joy, sometimes not much, but always peace, in serving Him through others.   And it’s enough for me, to work by His side.  For I know the love and healing He will bring those who need Him, and those who turn to Him.  It’s more than enough, for me.… Read More

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